LendingClub Corporation (NYSE:LC) Q2 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

Drew LaBenne: Yes. So, I don’t think we have a target yet that we want to put out there, but let me say a few things about the program. I think I mentioned in the prepared remarks that we did a $180 million this quarter with our first buyer, we are — we have several other — we have a lot of interest and we have several other buyers that are very close. So I think in the next quarter, that volume will increase and we’ll have multiple buyers is our expectation. So, we will use more of the balance sheet for this product going forward. We’re obviously, conscious that it creates some NIM dilution. But I think over time, as we can — as we think about our targets for capital, this obviously gives us some latitude to maneuver given the lower risk weight and the risk [around the] (ph) nature of the security.

Giuliano Bologna: That makes sense. And then just thinking about funding costs, it looks like high-yield savings pricing came up 25-or-so basis points in the last couple of weeks. Is that a good trajectory for where, at least, the savings and CDs will go in 3Q, or should [indiscernible] a little more beta, obviously, with some rate hikes coming up rolling through into the portfolio?

Drew LaBenne: Listen, it’s a little hard to predict. We have — given that our balance sheet growth slowed or actually slightly decreased in Q2, and we’re planning on being roughly flat for the rest of the year, at least that’s our current outlook, we don’t need to be as aggressive on deposit pricing in terms of where we sit in the tables. It doesn’t mean we can be uncompetitive either, though. So, we will need to stay somewhat competitive to keep what we have and show a small amount of growth. But I think we’re easing — we’re moving down a bit in the rate tables being a little less aggressive on price. And hopefully that can translate into — it already has translated into somewhat slower deposit pricing recently. Hopefully, that can continue.

Giuliano Bologna: That’s very helpful. And this might be jumping a little bit too far ahead into the future, but thinking about this, the structure [indiscernible]. Do you have any sense of — or there’re some discussion last quarter about being able to sell those, maybe you’re recognizing gains on the — on the risk [indiscernible] I’d be curious, what you need to see happen before you start going down after that [indiscernible] or would it have to be growing the balance sheet some more from here? There’s a way to kind of do make the balance sheet more efficient.

Scott Sanborn: Yes, sorry. So you mean selling the [ALLL] (ph) portion we are holding on the balance sheet right now?

Giuliano Bologna: That’s right.

Scott Sanborn: That’s true. Yes. So listen, I think that’s definitely an option for the future. The rate environment does impact — I think would impact the price if we were actually out there selling them right now. So if the Fed is near done, then the new vintages we put on, it may make sense to sell those and free up space to do more volume on balance sheet. We’ll evaluate that when it happens or if and when it happens. But we aren’t actively engaging in that yet. But I think we’ll have a lot of flexibility on how to manage that in the future.

Giuliano Bologna: Sounds great. Well, thank you for taking my questions, and I will jump back in the queue.

Scott Sanborn: Thank you.

Operator: Our next question comes from Tim Switzer with KBW. Please proceed.

Tim Switzer: Hey. Good evening. I’m on for Mike Perito. Thanks for taking my question.

Scott Sanborn: Yes, hi, Tim.